Sulphurized polymers and plastics



Sept 24, 1940 J. c. PATRICK' SULPHURIZED POIYMERS AND PLASTICS l Filed July 12, 193e ATTORNEY Patentes sept. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT ovl-Fics s mums nu msncs Joseph c. Patrick.

Morrisville, Pa., assigner Thiokol Corporation, Trenton. N. J... a colpenware tionofDela paesana .my iz, ma, is. 21am se clam. (ci. zes-aw represents two carbon atoms separated by in- 15 where 2n tervening structure.

In my Patent 1,890,191, there is described a reaction between an alkaline polysulphideand an olefin compound and'this reaction leads to compounds which are substantially polymers of the z5 structural unit n tta-1 where the carbon atoms are adjacent.

so It has been discoveredthat by opening up the space between these adjacent carbon atoms and placing intervening structure therein that great improvements in properties may be effected. For example, by placing eitherlinkage between said carbon atoms, not only aselasticity. elongation and tensile strength greatly improved, coupled'with the retention of the vproperty of reslstance to solvents, but an entlrely'new property, viz, the ability to retain the properties at low temperature, appears. Therefore. for example. gasoline conduits may be made which are not only elastic and resistant to gasoline at ordinary temperatures but also at low temperatures.

Again, by opening up the space between said s carbon atoms and inserting aryl or aromatic in the manufacture. o f numerous molded articles intended for rough usage where impact strength is important, e. g.. telephone receivers.-

u 'me invention fences m the prinelpleof obtaining compounds that are substantially polymers of the unit and the application of this principle, as defined in the claims ultimately appended hereto.

Certain specic embodiments of this principle will be fully explained, in order that the principle maybe fully understood and in order that Vsaid principle may be applied to other embodiments thereof, not speciiically herein set forth but nevertheless included within the claims.

The new product may be obtained by at least two routes or reactions. (l) by reaction between an alkaline polysulphide and an organic compound having atleast two carbon atoms and substituents'attached to each of said two carbon atoms and (2) by the oxidation oi an organic compound having at least two carbon atoms and an -SH group attached to each of said carbon atoms.

It is preferred to produce the ilnal products of this invention in two stages, l(A) an intermediate stage and (B) a ilnal stage. 'I'he product of the e first stage may be obtained by either of the Reactions l or 2 listed above. In that stage the product is potentially reactive. 'I'he ultimate properties are inchoate. The'intermediate product'may be cured or vulcanized and the ultimate properties developed. by heating, especially in the' 'vulcanization may belacceleratedby catalysts, i. e., curing-orvulcanization-acceleratora 'I'his division or separation of operations has a number-oi important advantages. Not only may the intermediate product be highly puritled before converting itinto its final form bu't that intermediate product 'may be readily worked in various ways to produce a multitude of dierent products, as different as phonograph records and coated fabrics. Therefore, the intermediate product can be sold in bulk to many differentbuyers who may mold it into many diiIerent shapes. The intermediate product can also'be dispersed in organic solvents and used as a lliquid coating, impregnating and binding material.

Apresence of an oxidizing agent and the curing or The intermediate material may be made in one the intermediate product and are supplied with what to them is a'raw material capable o! diverse This division of operations depends upon the fact that the invention provides for the production of -said intermediate material and that it possesses potential reactivity, i. e. the property of' undergoing further reaction when heated, e. g. by molding under heat and pressure.

The preparation of the intermediate, potentially reactive oruncured material is preferably eil'ected inan aqueous medium in the presence of a dispersion agent, because this permits the :production of the polymer in the formof a latex-like liquid analogous to the natural latex form in which rubber is produced by nature. In this latex-like liquid-the intermediate polymer is suspended in an aqueous serum and the sizeA ofthe particles is so small that substantially complete purification is 4readily effected by washing the l latex with water, the latter possessing the proptso ertyof mixing with water and thereafter settling out by the action of gravity. y Y

As above mentioned, ,theintermediate product may be prepared by at least two reactions, the mechanism of which will now be described, reference being-had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figs. 1 to 6 show the mechanism of the polysulphide reaction.

In the polysulphide reaction an alkaline polysulphide is employed which may be derived by the reaction of sulphur with a member of the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metals, ammonia and amines, e. g., sodium, potassium, lithium, caesium, etc., barium, calcium, strontium, etc.,r ammonia and ethanolamines and the polysulphide may be a disulphide, trisulphide, tetrasulphide, pentasulphide or hexa` sulphide, e. g., NazS: where a: is an integer of 2 to 6.

In the polysulphide'ireaction the molecules o1'- the organic substance become joined together to form a complex pattern or chain, i. e., the relatively small molecules of -the organic substancer are joined together toform a very large moleule or polymer. 'Ihis joindertakes place through the medium of the sulphur in the polysulphide.

This sulphur acts as a sort of bridge from one molecule to the next. As a result, the reaction products have high percentages of sulphur. They also have colloidal properties.

unites with the X' atom or radical, i. e., splits off the said X atom or radical from the compound xii; tx' This causes the group L i to take the place of X' and a new compound is Y formed as shown in Equation A.

(Mii) atom attached to another carbon atom. y

Reaction A occurs because the Na (sodium)- Owing to the capacity of the sodium to unite with the replaceable acidic substituent, the compound produced in Equation A has the rem-arkable ability of uniting with itself, as shown in Equation B.

Moreover, the compound produced as shown in Equation B unites with itself in the same manner and this continues until the size of the molecule is .so large that its sluggishness prevents further condensation or self-union.

This ability requires the existence of a sodium polysulphide radical (or its equivalent) on one carbon atom and a replaceable substituent on another carbon atom of the same compound.

If this rule is observed, union of the compound containing said pair of carbon atoms to form a compound containing a tetrad or quartet of carbon atoms does not exhaust the reaction because each terminal carbon atom of this quartet will also have attached thereto, respectively, a replaceable substituent and a sodium polysulphide radical, so that the quartet or tetrad can form an octad, etc. t

This permits a building up of a carbon chain in geometrical progression starting with a compound containing (but not necessarily consisting of two carbon atoms;

The fundamental requirement is that the starting compound shall have at least two carbon atoms and at least two substituents attached to said carbon atoms, respectively, so that reaction of this compound with sodium polysulwhere the group of sulphur atoms is the tetrasulphide group. This group may be the disulphide the tetrasulphide group shown, the pentasulphide group or the hexasulphide group il i i depending upon whether an alkaline disulphide, trisulphide, tetrasulphide, pentasulphide or hexasulphide is used. With this explanation the reaction can be regarded from the mechanical point of view `and it is clearest when so regarded. The

said unit can belikened to a unit building block with at least two interlocking members on each unit. For example, one of these members may have a male thread and the other a female thread. The male member onfone unit can then gous to the polymer of this invention.

following equations, which illustrate themercapv.

l bers on each unit. Otherwise the length of the chain is limited to a' union of two elements.

Referring now to the diagram, the compound shown as produced in reaction B continues to unite with itself until' a long chain is built up` l having the formula shown'at C. This then loses its X terminal Aand acquires -SH terminals at each end by'hydrolysis, as shown in Equations D and E. At this stage the condensing or polyv merizing action f the polysulphide substantially l l ceases.

It is desirable to carry out the above reaction in an alkaline dispersion medium as specically il# lustrated in Example 1 below, and to produce the polymer at the above mentioned stage in the I form of a latex-like liquid from which the polymer may be separated by various means, e. g., coagulation produced by the addition of acid. 'I'his latex has the propertyof mixing intimately with water without dissolving therein and may Y therefore be washed thoroughly -to remove soluble impurities.

Notwithstanding the large size of the molecule produced as indicated at E', further increase in size may becaused by employing oxidation, pref- 80 erably while the product is still in the dispersed form and prior tothe curing step, i. e., while the polymer is still in the intermediate stage. This may be done by blowing air .through the dispersion, provided it is definitely alkaline, or by Il employing any of a number of oxidizing agents effective under alkaline conditions, such as hydro d carbon radicals whereas the remaining sulphur -atoms are in labile form and may be removed by gen peroxide; benzoyl peroxide; sodium, potasslum, barium and calcium peroxides; perborates, permahganates, chromates and dichromates, etc.

When oxidized the polymer shown at E condenses as indicated by Equation Fin the diagram.,

Alkaline polysulildes are themselves oxidizing agents provided an excess be employed over 'the equimolecular proportions shown in Equations A to E inclusive.

It is generally desirable to increase the size 0fthe molecule as much as possible in the intermediate stage, because this in comunction with the subsequent curing tends to develop the desirable so qualities of mechanical strength, elasticity, re-

s istance to chemicals and solvents, etc., to the highest degree.

Proof that the reaction occurs by the mechanism shown and that the products obtained have u the formulae shown include the following:

(a) Taking 'BB' dichlorinated ethyl ether as* an example, the chlorine of the compound appears quantitatively in the form of sodium chloride as a by-product.l

(b) After isolating the polymer from the soluble by-products the weight of the polymer is quantitatively equalvto the weight of the dichlorinated ether minus the halogen plus the sulphur from the alkaline polysulphide.

4 es (n) 'I'he proportion of sulphur in the polymer .following formula:

is equal to that in. the [C2H4.O.C2H4.S4] l (d) Attempts to determine molecular weight of the polymer shows that it is very high. This v 70 is substantiated by.the properties as herein described. (e) A polymer having properties identical with those obtained by reacting dihalogenated ethyl ether with sodium tetrasulphide can be obtained 1l by an entirely different route, as shown by the tan reaction mentioned above:

The above dimercapto ether may be obtained by reacting BB' dichlorethyl ether with sodium hydrosulphide NaSH. v v

(2) zmsssnsn) +o= HSRS.S.R.S.S.R.S.S.R.SH.

This continues until a polymer is built up having the formula Hamssinrtsm' 'I'his on further oxidation'gives nsxnssinnasnmssinns sulphurized to produce a productidentical with that shown at (4) above.

a partial desulphurizing action as'already menv tioned.- l f In the formula shown, inthe drawing in Equation F, the value of n is y'gso great that the product is substantially and practically a polymer of the unit and the product reacts Vas such. For example, three mols of this unit react with two mols of sodiu'm sulphide according to thefollowing equation:

fand the resulting product is identical in all its .properties with `the product produced by oxidation of a -polyfunctional mercaptan as shown in Equations 1 to 4 above.

Conversely, lthe polymer shown in Equation l4 above as produced vby oxidation of a polyfunctional mercaptan behaves substantially as 'at polymer of the unit [4d IJ-ss-:l

A mol of this unit willreact with two atoms of and the product obtained is identical in all its properties with that shown in Equation 'F in the diagram.

This is further proof that the organic radicals in the polymer. i. e., the carbon radicals, are joined together through a bridge of two sulphur atoms. This bridge is in ilrm chemical combination, whereas the remaining sulphur atoms in the polysulphide polymer are in labile condition and may be removed by partial desulphurizing agents, for example, alkaline monosulphides, alkalies including NaOH and KOH, and sulphites.

In the above equations, instead of the tetrasulphides, the di, tri, penta and hexasulphides similarly react.

The fundamental requirement for the reactions shown in Figs. l to 6 is an organic compound having at least two carbon atoms and a substituent attached to each of said carbon atoms, which substituent is split off during the reactions which occur when said compound is treated with an alkaline polysulphide.

'For the mercaptan'reaction it is necessary to have an organic compound having at least two carbon atoms and an -SH group attached to each of said carbon atoms, thus Had SH These carbon atoms may be adjacent or separated by intervening structure and in the-present invention they are so separated.

Compounds produced by the polysulphide reaction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 are substantially polymers of the unit i am] Compounds produced by the mercaptan route are substantially polymers of the unit c+ is Polymers of the unit contain labile sulphur upon removal of which, as by reaction with reducing or desulphurizing agents, they are converted to polymers of the unit It has been discovered that great improvements can be effected by opening up the space between said adjacent carbon atoms and insert- `ing therebetween intervening structure. By this means polymers of the unit are produced where aries of utility of the polymers have been greatly extended. The invention will be further de scribed by illustrating the production and properties of polymers where the intervening structure between the pair of reactive carbon atoms is selected from the following classes, it being understood that other intervening structure may be employed:

Ether linkage.

Unsaturated carbon atoms.

Aromatic structure.

Saturated straight chain carbon atoms. Saturated branched chain hydrocarbons.

WHERE THE INTEBVENING STRUCTURE Is on CONTAINS AN ETHER LINKAGE When the said pair of carbon atoms are joined to and separated by intervening atomic structure characterized by an ether linkage, certain important advantages are obtained. 'I'hese advantages relate particularly to the polymer in its nal form, i. e., the form produced by curing the polymer in its intermediate stage. These advantages are in general characterized by a combination of the following properties: elasticity, mechanical strength,l retention oi these properties at low temperatures, insolubility in common solvents and resistance to distortion by heat.

A specific example, for the purpose of illustration, of one method of obtaining a polymer of the unit represents two carbon atoms separated by intervening structure characterized by an ether linkage is a reaction between BB dihalogenated ethyl ether and sodium tetrasulphide. The polymer where -produced is substantially a polymer of the unit S may be S2, Sa, S4, Ss or Ss, depending on whether an alkaline di-, tri, tetra, pentaor hexasulphide is used.

By reacting the polymer, where S is 3 to 6, with a reducing or desulphurizing agent, i. e., an agent capable of combining with sulphur, as more fully set forth in my copending application Serial No. 28,614, filed June 27, 1935, the labile sulphur may be removed and the polymer converted thereby into a polymer of the unit and this may be converted from its disulphid form to the corresponding tri, tetra, pentaor sfo ,may be separated from excess water by filtration, and drying to give an elastic mass; or it may be hexasulphide form-by heating'or reacting one mol of said unit with one, two, three .or four atomic weights of sulphur.

Moreover, a polymer of the unit may be obtained bya different reaction, i. e., lby oxidizing BB' dimercapto ethyl ether. The disulphide polymers have certain advantages over the polysulphide polymers. v

The general formula for polymers of the unit represents' carbonv atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized byA an ether linkage is Haut-s.

where L represents an oxygen atom or the group -R.O.R'-, R and R.' being respectively alkyl, aralkyl or aryl radicals.

The reaction between sodium tetrasulphide and BB' dihalogenated ethyl ether will now be de'- scribed in detail, it being understood that instead of halogens, numerous other substituents could be used (e. g., acid sulphate, acid phosphate, formate, acetate, propionate, acid tartrate, etc., which substituents, like halogen, are split olf during the reaction.V The halogen substituent, specically chlorine, is usedv because of economic reasons.

Example 1.-Into a closed reaction tank suitably equipped with 'stirring means, pipe coils for where steam and cold ,Water and a thermometer, are placed 2000 liters of 3-molar sodium tetrasulphide solution. To thepolysulphide solution are and about 700 kilograms (5 kilogram mols of BB' dichloreth'yl ether are added gradually over a Period of about three hours. tion of the dichloro ether` is so regulated as to prevent the temperature of the reaction from going above aboutv210 F. during the reaction.

When all the chloro ether has been added and the temperature. shows a tendency to drop, steam may be admitted to the heating coils and so regulated as to maintain a temperature of from v215 to 220 F. for about three hours during which time the latex-like dispersion of the p'olymer is constantly stirred or agitated. The heating step just described is carried out in order that the excess of lpolysulphide over that actually required to decompose the dichlor ether may exert a con'- densing or polymerizing eiect-on vthe reaction product vas ilrst formedas illustrated in Equation For the annexed drawing.

'I'he ilnely divided latex-like dispersion of the polymer may now be freed from water-soluble impurities by any suitable means, such as ltration and repeated washing with` water, or it may be washed by repeated settling of the particles and removal of supernatant liquid. followed by resuspension in clean waterand repetition of the settling process. The washed latex-like'dispersionmay now be used in the dispersed form or it The rate ,of addi- 4disubstituted 1,3 meuioxy, 2,2 dimetny1 treatedV with sufficient dilute acid, for example dilute hydrochloric, sulphuric or acetic acid, to confer a slight acidity on thelatex-like dispersion, whereupon coagulation occurs. li-'he 4coagulum can be freed from adherent. and occluded water by mastication or kneading on rolls or by prolonged drying or by subjecting to pres.

sure.

It will be noted that vin' the above example six kilogram mols of the polysulphide were used whereas only about iive kilogram mols of the organic reactment were used, leaving about 20 molar per cent excess of the polysulphide. This procedure provides an excess of polysulphide over that required for decomposition of the organic compound and this excess is available for the second 'step which results in further polymerization of the product due to the oxidizing eect of the excess polysulphide on the `nely divided reaction product during the prolonged heating period.

tially the same result is obtained n'ally but the method given is considered the most convenient and economical, especially in view of the fact that the excess of polysulphide can be recoveredif Y desired.

In'the above example, .instead of lBB' dichlorethyl ether, any member selected from the following list can be employed using vthe samemolecular proportions:

Table I cmcmxoomxzcm AA' disubstituted ethyl ether.

l X.C2H4.0.C2H4.X'

BB' disubstituted ethyl ether.

X.CH2.0.CH2.X'

disubstituted methyl ether. l

X.C2H4`O.C2H4.O.C2H4.X disubstituted ethoxy ethyl ether.

xomasczriax' disubstituted thio ethyl ether. f

X.CH2.S.CHI.X'

' disubstit uted thio methyl ether.

CI/b xbm.omcomocmxr X.CH2.CH2.CHz.O.CHz.0.CHz.CHz.CHz.X'

disubstituted aipropylformai.

X.CHz.CHz.O.CHz.O.CHz.CHz.X disubsututed 'd1enhy1 formal.

x.cmo.cm.c`n.oon i 1li disubstituted dimethoxy ethane.

aimtmtuted para diethoxy benzene.

propane. y

X.CHzO.CH2.CHn.OCm.X'

disubstituted dimethoxy ethane.

X.CHz.CH2.CH2.S.CH2.CH2.CH2.X'

disubstltuted dipropyl thio ether.

pp' disubstituted diphenyl ether.

:1Go-crux' w aisubsmuted anisoxe.

XOCHLOJHLOX' disubstituted dibenzyl ether.

' oo' disubstituted aiphenyi ether.

XOCHLQCBOCHMIJECH AA' disubstituted propyl ether.

CH:.CH:|.CH2.0.CHQ.CHzlfH:

gamma gamma disubstituted propyl ether.

oH|.cH.cHa.o.cH,.oH.cH|

BB' disubstituted propyl ether.

cH'.cH.cH,.o.cH.cH,.oH|

alpha beta disubstituted propyl ether.

CHLCHLCHLQCRCHLCH alpha. gamma disubstituted propyl ether.

cmcniommomcm.omen

` x x' alpha alpha. disubstituted butyl ether.

cHtoHl.cH.cH,.o.cH.cH.oH|.cn|

beta beta disubstituted butyl ether.

CHLCLCHLCHi.O.CH1.CHa.CH.CH1

gamma gamma disubstituted butyl ether.

Y crncrncrn.Unicorn.einem.CH,V ,IC

delta delta disubstituted butyl ether.

In some of the examples set forth in the above list it will be noted that the substituents which are split off are attached directly to an aromatic nucleus. The reaction is carried out as in Example 1, except that the temperature is increased as, for example, by working in an autoclave or bomb. The temperature necessary may be illustrated by the fact that in the case of pp dichloro diphenyl ether, a temperature of about 500 F. for about one hour is necessary.

The proportion of sulphur to the polymers produced from the above compounds varies from 20 to 80 per cent, depending upon whether the sulphur in the unit ts. I I

is a group of two, three, four, ve or six sulphur atoms and also depending upon the molecular Weight of the disubstituted compound.

In the above group there are found formals,

`ethers, thioethers, sulphones, alkoxy compounds and aryloxy compounds. In all however there are two carbon atoms joined to and separated by structure characterized by an ether linkage. 'I'his is a common quality running through the entire series. To each of the said carbon atoms there is joined a substituent which is split 01T. An ether linkage is defined as an oxygen or sulphur atom functioning as a link or bridge between two adjacent carbon atoms, thus R-O-R' or R.' S. R. where R and R are carbon atoms and structure characterized by an ether linkage in the oxygen or sulphur atom itself or structure containing said oxygen or sulphur atom functioning in the manner described.

Owing to this common quality, the polymers produced from these compounds by reaction with an alkaline polysulphide have a number of outstanding and important properties which distinguish them from thel polymers produced from disubstituted ethylene and `propylene, as already described. This is particularly true afterthe lntermediate potentially reactive polymers have been cured, and the curing step will be illustrated by the following example:

Example 2 Parts by weight Polymer produced as in Example 1 100.00 Zinz ,oxide 10.00 Stearic acid 0.05 Benzothiazyl disulphide 0.25 Carbon blacks 60.00

The above ingredients are thoroughly mixed by mastication andthen the resulting compound is cured by heating to about 300 F. for about one hour. Instead of zinc oxide other oxidizing agents can be used, e. g. oxides of copper, lead, bismuth, antimony, arsenic, manganese and chromium. Organic oxidizing agents including benzoyl peroxide and organic mono and poly nitro compounds can also be used.

The distinguishing characteristics can be suml marized as follows:

(l) Elongation of over 200 per cent without rupture and retraction substantially to its original shape after such elongation.

( 2) The ability to retain the above property at temperatures as low as about -30 F.

(3) Ability. to remain substantially unswollen by long immersion in gasoline, petroleum ether, lubricating oil and other parin hydrocarbons.

(4) Ability to be only slightly swollen by long l immersion in benzol, toluol and carbon tetrachloride.

These outstandingly important properties have been obtained by opening up the space between the carbon atoms in the unit and inserting therein structure characterized by an ether linkage, as amply illustrated by the list of compounds hereinabove set forth.

-It has already been stated that the polymers of vthis invention may be produced not only by the alkaline polysulphide reaction but also by oxidizing polymercapto compounds.' A specific illustration will be given as follows:

Example 3.-138 lbs. or1 mol of dimercapto ethyl ether, SH.C2H4.O.C2H4.SH are dissolved in 100 gallons sodium hydroxide solution containing 90 lbs. of NaOH; that is, an amount of NaOH slightly in excess of 2 mols. With this solution Athere is intimately mixed afr'eshly prepared susadded an oxidizing agent in the form of a solution of sodium polysulphide (made, for example,

by dissolving 3.48 lbs. or 2 mols of sodium tetrasulphide in 100 gallons of water) during a period of about ten minutes. proximately at room temperature and is somewhat exothermic. The reaction is substantially completed after all the polysulphide has been added. The completion of the reaction-is" indicated by withdrawing a sample. acidifying it and observing whether the odor of mercaptan is absent. Stirring may be continued until the reaction is completed, as indicated by this test.

'Ihe polysulphide acts as an'oxidizing-agent and converts the dimercapto 'ethyl ether into a complex polymer or plastic. The advantage of the magnesium hydroxide is that the said polymer or plastic is produced in the form of a latexlike liquid which has the unique property of `being capable of intimate mixture with water and settling out subsequently by the action of -gravity. This property permits intimate and thorough washing to remove soluble impurities.

Acidication of the latex-like liquid causes the `separation of polymer as an agglomerated mass,

' is in dispersed form, inasmuch as under such conditions the high degree of dispersion of the polymer permits an extremely thorough removal of the soluble impurities by washing. The dimculty-of transporting the latex in agglomerated form,'and the ease with which it sticks to parts of apparatus, such as the stirrer, also makes it advisable toproduce. the polymer in the reaction vessel in its dispersed latex-like form, from which vessel it can be readilyremoved because of its iiuid characteristics. vIf the polymer were produced in the reaction vessel in its coagulated rubbery form it would be vdilicult to removeit therefrom and it would be contaminated with the reagents used in its manufacture.

Washing of the polymer in its -dispersed con- 'I'he en- A The reaction occurs ap-Y` y heat,

dition may be accomplished in the reaction vessel by stirring it up with successive quantities of water, settling and drawing .olf the supernatant wash liquid. 'I'he washing can, of course, be accomplished in a different vessel. In any event, it is desirable to preserve the polymer in its dis-- persed condition until after removal from the reaction vessel.

V'I'he washed latex is then transferred to a second vessel where coagulation or agglomeration is produced by acidification. Suflicient acid may be added for this purpose until the mother liquid is acid to methyl orange orbrought to a -pH of about 3. The coagulated polymer is then dehydrated by any suitable method, e. g., milling, mastication or kneading. In such processes, considerableheat is generated which, together with the mechanical action, causes the removal of water.

In the above example, instead of sodium hydroxide as the agent for dissolving the dimercapto compound, other alkaline hydroxides could be used, for example, potassium, ammonium, lithium, calcium, barium, strontium, and in general any other alkaline materials which will not formI highly insoluble sulphides. y

Instead of magnesium hydroxide, other gelatinous hydroxides may be employed, for example, aluminum hydroxide, chromium hydroxide, ferrie hydroxide. Dispersing agents other than hydroxides may be employed, for example, gelatin, albumin, casein, agar, soluble cellulose esters,

etc.

Instead of4 sodium polysulphide, other polysulphides may be employed, e. g., potassium and lammonium; polysulphide or any other soluble polysulphide. Other oxidizing agents maybe used, for example, oxygen, air, ozone, hypohalites,v and in general any oxidizing agent effective in an alkaline solution, for example, hydrogen peroxide, andv metallic peroxides, perborates, chro- -mates, vdichromates, manganates andr perman- The product obtained in this case is a white coagulum which, upon drying, is in thin sheets, a pale amber translucent and highly elastic solid. When compounded with oxidizing agents including zinc oxide, it undergoes transformation by The transformed product is highly elastic and resistant to tear. It is practically unaffected 'by immersion in gasoline over long periods and will withstand exposure to benzene. The presence of an organic acid or substance, as for example, an organic cyanide, capable of yielding small amounts of an organic acid at curing temperatures, in the presence of traces of moisture always present, assists in the cure and improves the ilnal properties of the cured compound.

-One ofthe important properties of the product l Example 4 Pounds Intermediate polymer prepared as in Example 3 100.00 6 Zinc oxide 10.00 Carbon black 60.00 Stearic acid 0.50 Mercaptobenzo thiazole 0.25

lo These ingredients are thoroughly mixed and minutes or 300 F. for 30 minutes.

The properties of the cured product are as follows:

l Tensile strength A b 0 u t 1700#/ sq. in. Elongation at break About 500%.

Will not become affected by age orsunlight.

Uniquely resistant to ozone,

` oxygen or air. Eilect of gases 4---- Highly resistant to diilusion.

About 40 times less permeable than natural rubber.

The product produced as in Examples 3 and 4 55 is a cured polymer ofthe unit 1 whereas .that prepared as in Examples 1 and 2 is a cured polymer of the unit l A comparison of the physical properties of the respective products shows the advantages of the former over the latter.

In Example 3, any of the compounds hereincan be substituted for the dimercapto ethyl ether. The compound produced as in Example 3 is substantially a polymer of the unit It may be produced not' onlyas shown in Example 3, but also by removing the labile sulphur from the tetrasulphide polymer produced as in Example 1. This will be speci'iically illus- 7l trated by the following example:

hen subjected to a temperature of 290 F., for 60 above listed, where X and X' signify -SH groups,

Example 5.-Proceed as in Example 1 up to but not including the step of coagulation. Add 250 kilograms (6.25 kilogram mois) of NaOH dissolved in 500 liters of water, raise the temperature to 212 F. and maintain there for about 30 minutes. Then cool, settle and proceed as in Example 1 to wash the latex and coagulate the polymer. Instead of NaOH numerous other desulphurizing agents can be used, e. g., sodium sulphide, sodium sulphite, sodium hydrosulphide, sodium acid sulphite, etc.

The advantages to be obtained by opening up the space between the reactive carbon atoms and placing-therein structure characterized by an ether or ether-like linkage may be illustrated by the following comparative table wherein the properties of cured polymers made by reacting' (A) ethylene dichloride and (B) BB dichlorethyl ether, respectively, with an alkaline polysulphide are set forth, the tetrasulphlde polymer being referred to in each case and all conditions being the same except the nature of the structure intervening between the reactive carbon atoms:

Tensile strength 650 iba/sq. in 1,000 Iba/sq. in. Elongation at break..- 500% o. Temperature resst- Buttle at +5 F... Brittle ut 40 F.

ance. Odor Bad Practically odorle.

Having. explained the advantages to be obtained by inserting structure characterized by an ether linkage, the invention will be further described by illustrating various other interveningstructure.

INrnavnmNo S'rnccmn: Cmmcrmrzso nr A specic example vfor the purpose of illustration is a reaction between an alkaline polysulphide and 1,4 disubstituted butene 2 This reaction is speciiically described as follows:

Example 6.-Proceed as in Example 1, substituting 1,4 di-chlorobutene 2 for BB' diehlorethyl ether, in the same molecular proportions.

In the above example, instead of 1,4 dihalogenated butene 2, any member selected from the following list can be `employed, using the same molecular proportions.

Table II disubstituted 3 tolyl propeney 2.

X.CH2.CH= CH.CH2.CH2.X' disubstituted pentene 2.

X.CH2.CH=CH.CH2.CH2.CH2.X'

disubstituted hexene 2.

};.CH2.CH2.CH=CH.CH2.CH2.CH2.X

y 1,7 disubstituted heptene 3.

' miv asian In all of the above compounds there are two carbon atoms joined to and separated by structure characterized by unsaturated hydrocarbons.

This is a common quality running through the entireseries. To each of the said carbon atoms there is joined a substituent which is split ci! during the reaction.

Owing to this common quality the polymersv produced from these compounds by reaction with an alkaline polysulphide have a number of outstanding and important properties, as already described, which distinguishthis compound from the polymers produced from disubstituted ethylene and propylene. This is particularly true after the intermediate potentially reactive polymers have been cured and the curing step will be illustratedby the following example:

Example 7 Components Pvegy Pol erproduoedasinExam la 100.00 Zinglxi e.- g p 10. 00 Stearlc acid 0.05 Benwthiazyl disulphide 0. 25 Carbon black v 60. 00

The above ingredients are thoroughly mixed by mastication, as for example on rubber mixing rolls, and the resulting compound is cured by heating to about 300 F. for about 1 hour. Instead oi' zinc oxide in the above formula other oxidizing agents can be used, i. e., oxides oi?A copper, lead, bismuth, antimony. arsenic, manganese and chromium. Organic'oxidizing agents including benzoyl peroxide and trinitro benzene can also be used.

The specific properties `of the polymer produced as in Example 6 and cured ,as in Example 7, are as follows:

The compound produced, as in Example 6, is

substantially a polymer of the unit It can be partially desulphurizedas taught in Y Example 5 and converted into a compound which is substantially a polymer of the unit m n n Hl -c-c=,c-cs and the latter polymer can also be produced as taught in Example 3, i. e., by the vmeroaptan re'- action, using 1,4 dimercapto 'butene (instead of dimercapto ethyllether) Any of the compounds in the above Table 2, where X and X' are -SH groups, can be used instead oi the dimercapto ethyl ether of Example 3.

INmvnNINa S'l'aucl'ulm Cnsaac'nmm nx Ss'runs'rm Gannon A'rons This is illustrated by the following compound lxcmcmcmx'l Where X and X' are substituents capable of being split o3 by reaction with an alkaline polysulphide, this compound may be substituted for the ether of Example' 1 in the same. molecular proportion. 'I'he resulting compound is substantially a polymer oi the unit It can be lpartially desulphurlzed as' in Example 5 and converted into a compound which is substantially a polymer oi' the unit [-CHaCHmCHz-SPI This compound can be also produced by the mercaptan reaction as taught in Example 3. The polymers so produced may be cured as taught in Examples 2, 4 and 7. Y

One of the advantages oi such polymers over those obtained from compounds likefethylene or propylene dichloride is freedom from the disagreeable odor of the latter.

Instead ofthe specic compound above mentioned others that may be employed are as fol- IOWSZ mcnmx' moraux' thus producing' a series of compounds which are substantially polymers of the unit where n is greater than 2. As n increases, the

elasticity of the cured and uncured polymers decreasesand the ductility increases, in general.

This ls illustrated by the following compound:

[MOM] Where X and X are substituents capable of being split od by reaction with an alkaline polysulphide,` this compound may be substituted .for thevether of Example 1 in the same molecular proportion, The resulting compound is substantially a polymer of the unit l-@CH-l It may be partially desulphurized as in Example 5 and converted into a polymer which is substantially a polymer ot the unit [-@cH-l 'I'his compound can 'bealso obtained by the mercaptan reaction as taught in Example 3. The

polymers so produced can be cured as in Examples 2, 4 and 7.

WherefX and X' are substituents Joined directly to the nucleus of the said intervening aromatic structure, and capable of being split of! during reaction with alkaline polysulphide, high-- er temperatures are lnecessary, as a rule, than where said substituents are joined to aliphatic carbon atoms. This is illustrated by the following reaction:

Example 8.To one liter of 2 molar sodium I tetrasulphide add a suspension of Mg(OH) n made by dissolving 25 grams of crystallized magnesium chloride in cc. water and adding a'solutionlof 10grams oi NaOH in 50 cc. water. Add about one mol grams) of para dichlor benzene. Place the mixture in an autoclave, preferably provided with o surrer, and neat to about 300 c. 7g

and proceed further as taught in previous examples. Y

Instead of paraxylene dichloride or paradichlor benzene other compounds may be selected,

as for example, any of those shown in Table III- below. For the reaction with alkaline polysuliide, X and X' are substituents capable of being split oil' during said reaction. For the mercaptan reaction, X and X' are -SH groups:`

Table III X@ orthodisubstituted benzene.

x'cH,

xon

disubstituted ortho xylene.

ppdisubstituted diethyl benzene.

aadisubstituted naphthalene.

bb'disubstituted naphthalene.

cmX'

XCH

1,3 disubstituted mesitylene.

CHaX

Hxxl

disubstituted 1,4 dimethyl naphthalene.

pp'disubsututed d1benzy1.

aa'disubstituted' anthracene.

disubstituted para ethyl butyl benzene.

:LemonsCHOcurcmcmucmcm for about 10 hours. Cool to room temperature of outstanding and important properties, as already described, which distinguish them from the polymers produced from disubstituted ethylene and propylene. This is particularly true after the'intermediate potentially reactive poly- `mers have been cured and the curing step will be illustrated by the following example:

Example 9 Components Pty Polymer produced from paradichlor xylene. 100. Zinc oxide l0. 00 Stearic acid 0. Benzothiazyl disulphlde 0. Carbon black-. 00. 00

The above ingredients are thoroughly mixed by mastication, as for example, on rubber mixing rolls and the resulting compound is cured by heating to about 300 F. for about 1 hour. Instead oi' zinc oxide other oxidizing agents can be used in the above formula, e. g., oxides of copper, lead, bismuth, antimony, arsenic, manganese and chromium. Organic oxidizing agents including benzoyl peroxide and trinitro benzo can alsobeused.

All such polymers may be compound and cured as in Example 9. When the compound made,

Polymer .from ethylexgwmop Polymer frgxlieggra dlchlor Tensile strength-- 650 iba/sq. in. 3000 lbsJsq. in. Elongatinn 500%' Odor Bad Odorless or pleasant odor.

.In general, the introduction of aromatic structure between the reactive carbon atoms (i. e.l the carbon atoms to which are attached the substituents split o during reaction with alkaline polysulphide where the polysulphide reaction is used, or the carbon atoms to which SH groups are attached where the mercaptan reaction is used) produces products of a hard nature. having in many cases high-tensile strength and great elasticity but low elongation.

Enough illustration has been supplied to make apparent the profound influence of the intervening structure and to make apparent the fact that the invention is not limited to the particular classes of such intervening structure specifically mentioned.

I claim: l

1.--An organic compound said compound being Y lsubstantially polymer or the umu represents two carbon atoms joined to and separated by intervening structure, said compound being capable of being cured by heat.

2. The reaction product of an'alkaline polysulwhere phide and an organic compound having the formula containing two aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to atomic .structure characterized by an ether linkage, said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split oir during the reaction.

12. The process whichcomprises reacting an 5 alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound containing two carbon atoms separated by and joined to atomic structure characterized by an ether linkage, said carbon atoms having joined lo represents tWO Carbon atoms Joined t and Sepathereto, respectively, substituents which are split 1o rated by interveningstructure and X and X' repof during the rectlon, m a dispersion medium resent substituents Which are Split Off during the under alkaline conditions, obtaining a polymer in reatiOndispersed form, removing impurities from said 3. The process which comprises reacting an polymer separating the polymer from Said mel alkaline POlySUlPhide With an Ol'gnm GOmPOund diam and obtaining said polymer in intermediate 16 having the formula l potentially reactive form capable of being cured l; I by a subsequent heat treatment. X-l f l- X 13. 'I'he process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound n Where containing a halogen attached to each of two ter- '20 (l: minalv carbon atoms which carbon atoms are sepv Y l l arated by and joined to' atomic structure characrepresents two carbon atoms joined to and ,Sepatelliefimlg alse; lnhl'e'compses reacting an rated by intervening structure and X and X rep` lalkaline polysulphide with an ether`hav'ing two 25 resertiit substituents which are split off during the terminal carbon atoms said carbon atoms having reac on. i

. joined thereto, respectively, substituents which suttgooydthaiompound being are split oi during the reaction.

15. The process which comprises 4reacting an n alkaline polysulphide with ABB dihalogenated l l`s""] ethyl ether. f

where 16. The process which compi'ises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with anether having two terminal `carbon atoms and a halogen attached l to each of said two terminal carbon atoms.

17. 'I'h r ce which `com rises reacti an repnesents carbon atoms separaten by and joined alkaline ioxlyguliide with anpeth'er havinxggtwo to mtervening structure characterized by an terminal aliphatic carbon atoms, said carbon ether linkage' and Sis? sulphur atom' atoms having joined thereto, respectively, .sub-

o 5- A Product compnsing the reaction Product stituents which are split oir during the reaction.

of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic com- 18. The process whlch =comprlses reacting an 40 pound having two carbon atoms separated by and alkaline polysulphide with an ether having two Jfnned to Stmctnre characteried by an ether terminal aliphatic carbon atoms and a halogen linkage 581m carbon atoms having joined there' joined to each oi' said two terminal aliphatic car.

to, respectively, substituents which are split on bon atoms dnnng the reaction 19. The process which comprises reacting an 45 6. A product comprising the reaction product alllmllne polysulphl'de Wllll1 symmetrlcal dlhaloof an alkaline polysulphide and an ether having genated ethyl ethen two cairbnn atoms sepnrntedby and joined to in' I 20. 'I'he reaction product of an alkaline polytelfvenmg structure' containing an oxygen atom' sulphide and an ether having two terminal alisnld carbon atoms having joinen thereto' respec' phatic carbon atoms and a halogen joined to each tively, substituents which are split oiI during the of sald two terminal allphatlc carbonatomsregctniroduct comprising the reaction product 21 The reactsymionmpmduct odflhanal alkaline polyu gf ail; alkalinle polgsulphide with an ether having ide and emcal ogenated ethyl' wo ermina car n atoms and a halogen at 55 tached to each of said two terminal carbon atoms. urpgeggiltizgnbigpl]si l a'n product comprising the reaction product mer of the unit [R Si are-l where -R is a radical otfhall la'nne polysnlnne and BB' nina'logenated `*having a pair of carbon atoms separated by and e e er.

00 9. The process which comprises reacting an iohiloflo mtervemngstmcture characterized by alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound p f containing two carbon atoms separated by and J1- lgiieg to interveiliigg atomic structure character- I I e y an ether kage, said carbon atoms hav- Wihe SP1 Off during the rectmner an alkaline polysulphide with en organic come e frolesl which comprises reacting im pound having two aliphatic carbon atoms sepane P0 YS P de with an Organic compound rated by and Joined to structure characterized by containing two carbon atoms separated by and the group joined to atomic structure characterized byfan 70 ether linkage and a halogen atom attached to -l each of said carbon atoms. y y l i 11. 'I'he process which comprises reacting an said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respec-y alkaline polysulphide with an, organic compound tively, substituents which are. split of! duringthe reaction. l l 15' 24. A product 'comprising the reaction product of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by the group said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split oi during the reaction.

25. A product comprising the reaction product of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two carbon atomsseparated by and joined to structure characterized by the group said 'carbon atoms having halogen atoms joined thereto, respectively. 1

26. A product comprising the reactionproduct oi an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by the group said terminal carbon atoms having halogen atoms joined thereto, respectively.

2'7.` A product containing the reaction product -of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal aliphatic carbon 4atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by the group to structure characterized by the group said carbon atoms having joinedl thereto, respecgroup said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split oft during the reaction..

31. The process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by the group said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which arespilt ofi during the reaction.

alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by the group said carbon atoms having halogen atoms joined f thereto, respectively.

33. The process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by the group l Jati 1 said carbon atoms having halogen atoms joined thereto, respectively. Y

35. A Apotentially reactive compound capable of being cured by heat, said compound being a polymer of the unit [R S2 te sl where R is a radical having a pair of carbon atoms separated by and joined to intervening aromatic structure and S is a sulphur atom.

36. A product comprising the reaction product of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two carbon atoms separated by and joined to aromatic structure, said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split oi during the reaction.

37. A product comprising the reaction product of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by an aryl group, said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split off during the reaction.

38. A product comprising the reaction product of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure charactertized by an aryl group, said carbon atoms having ,joined` thereto, respectively, substituents which vare split ofi' during the reaction.

39. A product comprising the reaction product of an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by an aryl group, said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split oi during the reaction.

40. A product comprising the reaction product 42. The process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two carbon atoms separated by and-joined 32. The `process which comprises reacting an to aromatic structure, said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split oi during the reaction.

43. The process which comprises reacting alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure, characterized by an aryl group, said carbon atoms having Joined thereto. respectively, substituents which are split o!! duringv the reaction.

44. 'Ihe process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure. characterized by an'arylgroup, said carbon atoms having joined thereto. respectively, substituents which lare split oil during the reaction. l,

45. Theprocess which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two terminal aliphatic carbon atoms separated by and joined to structure characterized by an aryl group, said carbon atoms having joined thereto, respectively, substituents which are split off during the reaction.

46. The process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with an organic compound having two aliphatic carbon atoms by and joined to structure characterized by an aryl group, said carbon atoms having halogen atoms joined thereto, respectively.

47. The process which comprises reacting an alkaline polysulphide with pp' dihalogenated xylene.

48. 'I'he process which comprises causing in action between water soluble sulphidcs selected from the group consisting 'of alkali metal. ammonium, and alkaline earth metal sulphides and aromatic compounds having at least two halogen atoms in aliphatic side-chains..

49. The process as claimed in claim 48, in which' the water soluble sulphide is a polysulphide.

50. The process which comprises causing interaction between water soluble snlphidesselected from the group consisting of alkali metal, am-

monium and alkaline earth metal sulphides and aromatic compounds having at least two halogen atoms inaliphatic sidechains, the reaction being performed in an aqueous medium in the presence ol an emulsiiying agent. A

51. The compounds which are substantially identical with those obtainable by 'the process which comprises causing interaction between water-soluble sulphide from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium and alkaline earth metal s'ulphides and aromatic compounds having at leastv two halogen atoms in aliphatic side-chains.

52. The compounds which are substantially identical with those obtainable by the process which `comprises causing interaction between water soluble polysulphides selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, ammonium and alkaline earth metal polysulphides'and aromatic compounds having at leasttwo halogen atoms iny consisting of alkali metal ammonium and alka-A line earth metal polysulphides and aromatic compounds having at least two substituentsin aliphatic side chains which substituents are split ci! .'during the reaction.

55. The process which comprisesproviding apotentially reactive compound capableof being cured by heat, said compound being a polymer oi' the unit [R Se me] where R is a radical having a pair of carbon atoms separated by and Joined to intervening structure characterized by the group and Sis a sulphur atom; incorporating said compound with a metallic oxide and heating the resulting compound and thereby curing it.

56. A composition of matter which is substantially identical with that produced by the process which comprises heating a compound obtained by incorporating a metallic oxide with a polymer of theunit [Esens] whereRisaradicalhavinga pair ol carbon atoms separated by andjoined to structure characterized by the group andsisasulphuratom.

Joanna ara'rarcx. 

